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. 2024 Jan 24:14:1286101.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1286101. eCollection 2023.

Burnout in residents during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Ricard Navinés #  1 , Victoria Olive #  2   3 , Diego Hidalgo-Mazzei  1 , Klaus Langohr  4 , Eduard Vieta  1   2 , Rocio Martin-Santos  1   2
Affiliations

Burnout in residents during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Ricard Navinés et al. Front Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Introduction: The high prevalence of burnout in resident physicians is expected to have increased as a result of the expansion of the pandemic. We conducted a systematic review with a meta-analysis of studies conducted during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on burnout in residents and potential associated risk factors.

Methods: The search was done in the Web of Science, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Lillac databases (April 2020-October 2021) using a priori protocol based on the PRISMA guidelines. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. We estimated the pooled prevalence (95% CI) of burnout and the prevalence ratio (95% CI) of each risk factor associated.

Results: We included 23 studies from 451 potential initial articles and those written in the English language; all of the collected studies were cross-sectional with anonymous online surveys, involving 4,998 responders (34%), of which 53.2% were female responders, 51% were R1-2, and 71% were in direct contact with COVID-19 patients. Eighty-seven percent presented a low-to-moderate risk of bias. Publication bias was not shown. The estimated pooled prevalence of burnout was 40% (95% CI = 0.26 - 0.57). Burnout was associated with psychiatry history (PR = 4.60, 95% CI = 1.06 - 20.06). There were no differences by gender, civil status, children in-charge, year of residency, or time exposure to COVID-19.

Discussion: The overall prevalence of burnout in residents during the first wave of the pandemic was in line with the results described in this collective before the pandemic. The presence of a psychiatry history was a potential burnout risk factor, suggesting a high vulnerability during the peak of the stress period and the need to implement mental health surveillance for this subgroup.

Keywords: COVID-19; burnout; meta-analysis; residents; risk factors; systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

EV has received grants and served as consultant, advisor, or CME speaker for the following entities: AN.Biotics, AbbVie, Adamed, Angelini, Biogen, Biohaven, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Celon Pharma, Compass, Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma, Ethypharm, Ferrer, Gedeon, Ritcher, GH Research, Glaxo-Smith Kline, HMNC, Idorsia, Janssen, Lundbeck, Medincell, Merch, Novartis, Orion Corporation, Organon, Otsuka, Roche, Rovi, Sage, Sanofi-Avenis, Sunovion, Takeda, and Viatris, outside the present submitted study. DH-M has received CME-related honoraria and served as a consultant for Abbott, Angelini, Ethypharm Digital Therapy, and Jansen-Cilag, with no financial or other relationships related to the subject of this paper. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of considered and finally selected articles according to the PRISMA statement.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Estimated overall prevalence of burnout syndrome in residents during first wave of COVID-19 pandemic.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Estimated overall prevalence of burnout related to type of specialty (A) surgery, (B) internal medicine, (C) hospital based, and (D) others.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Estimated overall prevalence of burnout related geographical origin: (A) North-America, (B) Europe, and (C) Asia.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Estimated overall prevalence of burnout dimensions in residents during COVID-19 pandemic: (A) High emotional exhaustion, (B) high depersonalization, and (C) low personal accomplishment.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Estimated prevalence ratio (PR) of burnout comparing residents vs. others health care personal during COVID-19 pandemic.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Estimated prevalence ratio (PR) of burnout associated with psychiatry history in residents during COVID-19 pandemic.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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